| General Fiction posted February 19, 2024 | Chapters: |
...19 20 -21- 22... 
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Placing the blame......
A chapter in the book Life's Twisted Road
Life's Twisted Road - Chap 21
by Begin Again
END OF CHAPTER 20
Jackson sat in a nearby chair, patiently waiting for Judy to open her eyes. "Good morning, Judy. I'm glad to see you've found your way back to us."
"Is this a hospital?" Judy's eyes shifted around the room, stopping at Jackson. "Do I know you?" Her hand frantically patted the sheets in search of the call button. "What happened?"
"Calm down. It will all come back to you in time." Jackson stood and stepped to the side of the bed. "My name is Jackson and I'm the sheriff. You met me â?"."
"Oh God, you arrested, Bobby." Judy repeatedly pushed the call button, twisting and turning as her agitation grew. "Did he do something again? Where's Bobby? I want to see Bobby."
Two nurses entered the room. One administered a sedative in the IV and the other directed her attention at Jackson. "You've got to leave. The doctor told you not to upset her."
"I'm just trying to do my job. She's a witness."
"It will have to wait. She doesn't remember and until she does, no one, including you, will press her for answers. Have I made myself clear, Jackson?"
He growled, "Perfectly clear, Sis."
Once he cleared the doorway, Layla closed the door, leaving him on the outside looking in. "Man, that felt good."
Both nurses laughed as their attention returned to their patient.
*****
CHAPTER 21
Jason dropped his gym bag on the floor outside the Coach's office. He rubbed his sweaty hands against his jeans, trying to calm his nerves.
Why does the coach want to see me? Was it about the game? Without Dion spiraling the ball toward me, my timing is off. Coach should understand that, right? Or did the sheriff tell him about Gabby? Or maybe Dion did?
The coach was ending a phone call as Jason popped his head around the door. "You wanted to see me, Coach?"
"Jason, come in." The coach shuffled some papers together and set them aside. A tray of sugar cookies sat on top of a stack of books on the corner of his desk. "Help yourself to a cookie. One of the mothers dropped them off. Of course, my doctor would frown on them, but what's one or two going to hurt?"
Jason chose the sugar cookie with blue frosting. "Thanks, Coach. Stirred up my appetite during practice." He sank his teeth into the cookie, sprinkling crumbs across his jersey. "Sorry about that. Do you have a napkin?"
Coach opened the desk drawer and handed a napkin to Jason. "Have you spoken to Dion? The sheriff made some tough accusations."
Jason leaned forward in his chair. "He sure did. Those drugs weren't his. Dion wouldn't jeopardize his future like that."
"You know him better than most. Any idea how the drugs got in his truck?"
"Somebody had to put them in there. Somebody with a grudge or something."
"Hmmm, that's a tough one. I can't imagine Dion making anyone mad enough to do something like that. Can you?"
"Me? No —no, of course not. Dion's one of the good guys."
"Yeah, that's what I thought. He's always going out of his way to help others." The coach paused, reached for a cookie, and then dropped his bombshell. "Like helping Gabby. I'm confused because I thought you were dating her."
Jason felt his body temperature rise as he squirmed in his chair. He cleared his throat and brushed away any remaining cookie crumbs before lifting his eyes toward the coach. "Yeah, I tried to help her when her mom passed." He coughed and cleared his throat again. "It didn't last. You know with football practice all the time."
Coach nodded. "Yeah, practice takes a lot of time."
"It sure does, especially if you want to be noticed. My eyes are set on playing ball with the pros. You don't have to worry about me. I'm focused on the future."
"Sometimes our futures change, Jason. Look at Dion. He never expected to be lying in a hospital. He might not be able to play again, at least not with the pros. The verdicts still out but he's pretty banged up."
"Dion and I started tossing the ball around our backyards when we were seven or eight years old. We spent day and night, planning our future to play with the pros — together." Jason pushed his chair away from the coach's desk and stood. He checked his watch. "Sorry, Coach, but I need to get home."
"Sure thing. By the way, have you talked to Gabby? She must be devastated losing both her parents. Imagine being a teenage girl pregnant and alone."
Coach's words sent quivers through Jason. He could feel the sweat. "Gabby and her dad didn't get along very well."
"He was still her dad. Losing her mom and then her dad. That's got to be rough."
"You're right. I should make some time and stop by. As Dion said, that's what friends do, right?" Jason moved toward the door. "I'll give her a call, but I gotta get going. Anything else, Coach?"
The coach shook his head. "If you see Gabby, tell her how sorry I am."
"I will." Jason grabbed his gym bag from the floor. "See you tomorrow." His gym shoes couldn't carry him fast enough away from the Coach's office.
*****
Jackson carried a roll of paper towels and the broom when he returned from the kitchen. Pieces of Audrey's shattered wine glass were scattered across the floor. Purple stains were visible on the back of the chair.
A trickle of blood bubbled on Audrey's finger as she picked at the glass. She lifted her head toward Jackson. "Give me the paper towels. I'll clean it up."
"You're already bleeding. I'll do it."
Audrey shrugged and moved across the room. Her mind was whirling around. She wondered how much of her conversation he'd heard. It didn't take long before she knew.
Jackson set the wastepaper basket and broom to the side and joined Audrey on the sofa. "I didn't mean to scare you. I knocked but you must not have heard me."
"No, I didn't. My friend, Cassidy, called. She'd heard about Bobby's death."
"Cassidy? I don't recall you ever mentioning her."
"We were quite close at one time, but you know how life is. You get busy and before you know it, you've lost touch. I thought it was nice of her to call me."
"News, especially, bad news, travels fast in this town."
"Yes, she mentioned Dion and the drugs. She worked in a lawyer's office before having kids." Audrey inhaled sharply and then let the air slowly slip across her lips. "She mentioned that if the accident was caused by him, there could be a big settlement, one to help Gabby and me get back on our feet."
"Your friend, Cassidy, shouldn't be jumping to conclusions. We haven't even finished our investigation yet."
"The drugs were there, Jackson. Why else would he have them?" Audrey looked away, afraid to look into Jackson's eyes. "I'm just saying, the insurance money would make a huge difference."
"And to falsely accuse the boy would destroy his future."
"We both know his family is rich. Money talks! Nothing is going to happen to him. His life will go on, but Bobby's dead. Shouldn't he pay?" Tears streamed from her eyes, and she turned her head away, wiping her cheeks. She bit her lip and snarled, "Somebody should pay."
"Audrey, listen to yourself. All the money in the world isn't going to bring Bobby back. He was drinking and he had a bone to pick with the kid. Maybe, he lost control and ran the kid off the road."
Her eyes darkened as she spun around, facing the sheriff. "So, Bobby's past makes him a murderer? Now who's putting the blame where it doesn't belong?"
"I'm not blaming Bobby. I'm saying there are two sides to the story, and it has to be investigated. It's evidence, not money, that should be doing the talking. I'm sorry, but I'm doing my job."
"I think you should go, Jackson."
"Audrey —"
"I've lost my job, my house, and now my brother. Those people have everything. I just want my share. Is that too much to ask?"
"It is if you're putting the blame where it doesn't belong." Jackson stood and reached for Audrey, but she pulled away. "I'm sorry about everything that's happening, but you aren't thinking straight. This isn't you."
"You've never been in my shoes."
"You're right." He wanted so much to hold her, to help her through her pain, but he knew now wasn't the time. "I'll see myself out." He took one last long look and then shut the door behind him.
******************
Squeals came from the back seat of Juan's car. He could see the girls giggling and enjoying the vapes. "You enjoying the cotton candy?"
"Yes-in di-de! This has got to be my favorite. It's better than the mango we had last time."
"You're the best, Juan. Thanks for picking us up."
"No problem. Nat, you sure your mom didn't see us?"
"Nah, she was too busy watching Grey's Anatomy. I told her Becky and I were going to Peyton's for a sleepover."
"What if she checks?"
"Duh! She can't because she was too busy watching her show to ask for a number." Both girls laughed and high-fived each other. "We ain't no dummies."
"Smart thinking!" Juan pulled off the road into a Qwik Trip parking lot. "You girls sit tight, I've got some business to attend to, okay? It won't take long."
As he spoke, a black SUV pulled into the parking lot. Two men exited the vehicle. Juan instantly recognized Big Frank, a drug lord and kingpin in this area. His bodyguard's jacket was open, exposing a gun. He looked menacing as he stepped off the sidewalk, toward Juan and the girls.
Think fast!
Juan pressed his body against the car seat, hoping they hadn't seen him, but tonight wasn't going to be his lucky night. Big Frank nodded toward Juan's car and the bodyguard motioned to Juan.
Without turning his head, he spoke to the girls, "See those guys over there. They want to talk to me, and it might get ugly."
"We'll be fine."
Juan snapped, "Shut up and listen. You need to go. It's dark over here. So, when I get out of the car, I want both of you to get out the other side and run as if your life depended on it. Don't stop!"
"But —"
"Nat, shut up. Just go." He swung open the driver's door and stepped out. "Hey, Frank, good to see you, man." He slammed the door and walked toward the SUV, praying the two girls had gotten his message and cleared out.
"Heard you might be working this territory." Big Frank's bulky body towered over Juan.
"Nah, I just stopped for a cool twelve-pack. There's no way I'd be selling around here. I know the rules."
"Good to know, Juan." The bodyguard opened the SUV door for Frank and waited for his boss to climb in. "Hope you aren't mixing business with pleasure." Frank nodded toward Juan's car. "That young stuff will hang you in a second. Hate to see them get hurt, if you get my drift."
Juan could feel the sweat running down his back. "Told you I wasn't working, Frank. That's why I needed the twelve-pack. It don't take much to prime 'em."
"Yeah, get in. Let's take a little ride." Frank glared at Juan. "We need to talk."
Juan walked around the car and climbed into the back seat. His heart was pounding. The SUV backed out and moved slowly along the road in the same direction the girls had gone.
Terrified, the two girls hid under a clump of bushes, clinging to each other. "Oh my God, what's going to happen to Juan?"
"Hush! Before they find us." Silently, they watched the SUV creep past them.
END OF CHAPTER 20
Jackson sat in a nearby chair, patiently waiting for Judy to open her eyes. "Good morning, Judy. I'm glad to see you've found your way back to us."
"Is this a hospital?" Judy's eyes shifted around the room, stopping at Jackson. "Do I know you?" Her hand frantically patted the sheets in search of the call button. "What happened?"
"Calm down. It will all come back to you in time." Jackson stood and stepped to the side of the bed. "My name is Jackson and I'm the sheriff. You met me â?"."
"Oh God, you arrested, Bobby." Judy repeatedly pushed the call button, twisting and turning as her agitation grew. "Did he do something again? Where's Bobby? I want to see Bobby."
Two nurses entered the room. One administered a sedative in the IV and the other directed her attention at Jackson. "You've got to leave. The doctor told you not to upset her."
"I'm just trying to do my job. She's a witness."
"It will have to wait. She doesn't remember and until she does, no one, including you, will press her for answers. Have I made myself clear, Jackson?"
He growled, "Perfectly clear, Sis."
Once he cleared the doorway, Layla closed the door, leaving him on the outside looking in. "Man, that felt good."
Both nurses laughed as their attention returned to their patient.
Jackson sat in a nearby chair, patiently waiting for Judy to open her eyes. "Good morning, Judy. I'm glad to see you've found your way back to us."
"Is this a hospital?" Judy's eyes shifted around the room, stopping at Jackson. "Do I know you?" Her hand frantically patted the sheets in search of the call button. "What happened?"
"Calm down. It will all come back to you in time." Jackson stood and stepped to the side of the bed. "My name is Jackson and I'm the sheriff. You met me â?"."
"Oh God, you arrested, Bobby." Judy repeatedly pushed the call button, twisting and turning as her agitation grew. "Did he do something again? Where's Bobby? I want to see Bobby."
Two nurses entered the room. One administered a sedative in the IV and the other directed her attention at Jackson. "You've got to leave. The doctor told you not to upset her."
"I'm just trying to do my job. She's a witness."
"It will have to wait. She doesn't remember and until she does, no one, including you, will press her for answers. Have I made myself clear, Jackson?"
He growled, "Perfectly clear, Sis."
Once he cleared the doorway, Layla closed the door, leaving him on the outside looking in. "Man, that felt good."
Both nurses laughed as their attention returned to their patient.
*****
CHAPTER 21
Jason dropped his gym bag on the floor outside the Coach's office. He rubbed his sweaty hands against his jeans, trying to calm his nerves.
Why does the coach want to see me? Was it about the game? Without Dion spiraling the ball toward me, my timing is off. Coach should understand that, right? Or did the sheriff tell him about Gabby? Or maybe Dion did?
The coach was ending a phone call as Jason popped his head around the door. "You wanted to see me, Coach?"
"Jason, come in." The coach shuffled some papers together and set them aside. A tray of sugar cookies sat on top of a stack of books on the corner of his desk. "Help yourself to a cookie. One of the mothers dropped them off. Of course, my doctor would frown on them, but what's one or two going to hurt?"
Jason chose the sugar cookie with blue frosting. "Thanks, Coach. Stirred up my appetite during practice." He sank his teeth into the cookie, sprinkling crumbs across his jersey. "Sorry about that. Do you have a napkin?"
Coach opened the desk drawer and handed a napkin to Jason. "Have you spoken to Dion? The sheriff made some tough accusations."
Jason leaned forward in his chair. "He sure did. Those drugs weren't his. Dion wouldn't jeopardize his future like that."
"You know him better than most. Any idea how the drugs got in his truck?"
"Somebody had to put them in there. Somebody with a grudge or something."
"Hmmm, that's a tough one. I can't imagine Dion making anyone mad enough to do something like that. Can you?"
"Me? No —no, of course not. Dion's one of the good guys."
"Yeah, that's what I thought. He's always going out of his way to help others." The coach paused, reached for a cookie, and then dropped his bombshell. "Like helping Gabby. I'm confused because I thought you were dating her."
Jason felt his body temperature rise as he squirmed in his chair. He cleared his throat and brushed away any remaining cookie crumbs before lifting his eyes toward the coach. "Yeah, I tried to help her when her mom passed." He coughed and cleared his throat again. "It didn't last. You know with football practice all the time."
Coach nodded. "Yeah, practice takes a lot of time."
"It sure does, especially if you want to be noticed. My eyes are set on playing ball with the pros. You don't have to worry about me. I'm focused on the future."
"Sometimes our futures change, Jason. Look at Dion. He never expected to be lying in a hospital. He might not be able to play again, at least not with the pros. The verdicts still out but he's pretty banged up."
"Dion and I started tossing the ball around our backyards when we were seven or eight years old. We spent day and night, planning our future to play with the pros — together." Jason pushed his chair away from the coach's desk and stood. He checked his watch. "Sorry, Coach, but I need to get home."
"Sure thing. By the way, have you talked to Gabby? She must be devastated losing both her parents. Imagine being a teenage girl pregnant and alone."
Coach's words sent quivers through Jason. He could feel the sweat. "Gabby and her dad didn't get along very well."
"He was still her dad. Losing her mom and then her dad. That's got to be rough."
"You're right. I should make some time and stop by. As Dion said, that's what friends do, right?" Jason moved toward the door. "I'll give her a call, but I gotta get going. Anything else, Coach?"
The coach shook his head. "If you see Gabby, tell her how sorry I am."
"I will." Jason grabbed his gym bag from the floor. "See you tomorrow." His gym shoes couldn't carry him fast enough away from the Coach's office.
*****
Jackson carried a roll of paper towels and the broom when he returned from the kitchen. Pieces of Audrey's shattered wine glass were scattered across the floor. Purple stains were visible on the back of the chair.
A trickle of blood bubbled on Audrey's finger as she picked at the glass. She lifted her head toward Jackson. "Give me the paper towels. I'll clean it up."
"You're already bleeding. I'll do it."
Audrey shrugged and moved across the room. Her mind was whirling around. She wondered how much of her conversation he'd heard. It didn't take long before she knew.
Jackson set the wastepaper basket and broom to the side and joined Audrey on the sofa. "I didn't mean to scare you. I knocked but you must not have heard me."
"No, I didn't. My friend, Cassidy, called. She'd heard about Bobby's death."
"Cassidy? I don't recall you ever mentioning her."
"We were quite close at one time, but you know how life is. You get busy and before you know it, you've lost touch. I thought it was nice of her to call me."
"News, especially, bad news, travels fast in this town."
"Yes, she mentioned Dion and the drugs. She worked in a lawyer's office before having kids." Audrey inhaled sharply and then let the air slowly slip across her lips. "She mentioned that if the accident was caused by him, there could be a big settlement, one to help Gabby and me get back on our feet."
"Your friend, Cassidy, shouldn't be jumping to conclusions. We haven't even finished our investigation yet."
"The drugs were there, Jackson. Why else would he have them?" Audrey looked away, afraid to look into Jackson's eyes. "I'm just saying, the insurance money would make a huge difference."
"And to falsely accuse the boy would destroy his future."
"We both know his family is rich. Money talks! Nothing is going to happen to him. His life will go on, but Bobby's dead. Shouldn't he pay?" Tears streamed from her eyes, and she turned her head away, wiping her cheeks. She bit her lip and snarled, "Somebody should pay."
"Audrey, listen to yourself. All the money in the world isn't going to bring Bobby back. He was drinking and he had a bone to pick with the kid. Maybe, he lost control and ran the kid off the road."
Her eyes darkened as she spun around, facing the sheriff. "So, Bobby's past makes him a murderer? Now who's putting the blame where it doesn't belong?"
"I'm not blaming Bobby. I'm saying there are two sides to the story, and it has to be investigated. It's evidence, not money, that should be doing the talking. I'm sorry, but I'm doing my job."
"I think you should go, Jackson."
"Audrey —"
"I've lost my job, my house, and now my brother. Those people have everything. I just want my share. Is that too much to ask?"
"It is if you're putting the blame where it doesn't belong." Jackson stood and reached for Audrey, but she pulled away. "I'm sorry about everything that's happening, but you aren't thinking straight. This isn't you."
"You've never been in my shoes."
"You're right." He wanted so much to hold her, to help her through her pain, but he knew now wasn't the time. "I'll see myself out." He took one last long look and then shut the door behind him.
******************
Squeals came from the back seat of Juan's car. He could see the girls giggling and enjoying the vapes. "You enjoying the cotton candy?"
"Yes-in di-de! This has got to be my favorite. It's better than the mango we had last time."
"You're the best, Juan. Thanks for picking us up."
"No problem. Nat, you sure your mom didn't see us?"
"Nah, she was too busy watching Grey's Anatomy. I told her Becky and I were going to Peyton's for a sleepover."
"What if she checks?"
"Duh! She can't because she was too busy watching her show to ask for a number." Both girls laughed and high-fived each other. "We ain't no dummies."
"Smart thinking!" Juan pulled off the road into a Qwik Trip parking lot. "You girls sit tight, I've got some business to attend to, okay? It won't take long."
As he spoke, a black SUV pulled into the parking lot. Two men exited the vehicle. Juan instantly recognized Big Frank, a drug lord and kingpin in this area. His bodyguard's jacket was open, exposing a gun. He looked menacing as he stepped off the sidewalk, toward Juan and the girls.
Think fast!
Juan pressed his body against the car seat, hoping they hadn't seen him, but tonight wasn't going to be his lucky night. Big Frank nodded toward Juan's car and the bodyguard motioned to Juan.
Without turning his head, he spoke to the girls, "See those guys over there. They want to talk to me, and it might get ugly."
"We'll be fine."
Juan snapped, "Shut up and listen. You need to go. It's dark over here. So, when I get out of the car, I want both of you to get out the other side and run as if your life depended on it. Don't stop!"
"But —"
"Nat, shut up. Just go." He swung open the driver's door and stepped out. "Hey, Frank, good to see you, man." He slammed the door and walked toward the SUV, praying the two girls had gotten his message and cleared out.
"Heard you might be working this territory." Big Frank's bulky body towered over Juan.
"Nah, I just stopped for a cool twelve-pack. There's no way I'd be selling around here. I know the rules."
"Good to know, Juan." The bodyguard opened the SUV door for Frank and waited for his boss to climb in. "Hope you aren't mixing business with pleasure." Frank nodded toward Juan's car. "That young stuff will hang you in a second. Hate to see them get hurt, if you get my drift."
Juan could feel the sweat running down his back. "Told you I wasn't working, Frank. That's why I needed the twelve-pack. It don't take much to prime 'em."
"Yeah, get in. Let's take a little ride." Frank glared at Juan. "We need to talk."
Juan walked around the car and climbed into the back seat. His heart was pounding. The SUV backed out and moved slowly along the road in the same direction the girls had gone.
Terrified, the two girls hid under a clump of bushes, clinging to each other. "Oh my God, what's going to happen to Juan?"
"Hush! Before they find us." Silently, they watched the SUV creep past them.
 Recognized |
ISABELLA - Natasha's grandmother
DION - Star quarterback and Jason's best friend
JASON - Dion's best friend and teammate
COACH - the high school football coach and team counselor
GABBY - Jason's girlfriend and best friends with Natasha and Becky
BOBBY - Gabby's father
AUDREY - Bobby's sister and Gabby's Aunt
JUDY -THE BLONDE - Bobby's drinking date for the day
PADDY -THE JOGGER - A nice older Irish gentleman
AMANDA - Paddy's wife
LUCILLE LAKEWOOD - one of the arresting officers
CHARLIE - Department Manager for the Sheriff
JACKSON - the sheriff and the man dating Bobby's sister, Audrey
JUAN - Local pool boy and behind the scenes drug supplier
AUSTIN - semi driver and owner of Roscoe
ROSCOE - Austin's co-pilot, a German Shepherd
AL - a firefighter at the scene
TAYLOR - a town resident and mail carrier
ALEJANDRO - a local farmer
LAYLA - a registered nurse and Jackson's sister
Pays
one point
and 2 member cents. DION - Star quarterback and Jason's best friend
JASON - Dion's best friend and teammate
COACH - the high school football coach and team counselor
GABBY - Jason's girlfriend and best friends with Natasha and Becky
BOBBY - Gabby's father
AUDREY - Bobby's sister and Gabby's Aunt
JUDY -THE BLONDE - Bobby's drinking date for the day
PADDY -THE JOGGER - A nice older Irish gentleman
AMANDA - Paddy's wife
LUCILLE LAKEWOOD - one of the arresting officers
CHARLIE - Department Manager for the Sheriff
JACKSON - the sheriff and the man dating Bobby's sister, Audrey
JUAN - Local pool boy and behind the scenes drug supplier
AUSTIN - semi driver and owner of Roscoe
ROSCOE - Austin's co-pilot, a German Shepherd
AL - a firefighter at the scene
TAYLOR - a town resident and mail carrier
ALEJANDRO - a local farmer
LAYLA - a registered nurse and Jackson's sister
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